Stubbs’ joy as Hibs finally sign Dylan McGeouch

ANGUS WRIGHT

Hibernian last night announced the signing of Dylan McGeouch from Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

The midfielder spent most of last season on loan at Easter Road and had been expected to make the switch permanent as part of the deal in which Scott Allan left Hibs for Celtic.

However, the Allan move was concluded last week with only teenager Liam Henderson joining Hibs from Celtic on a season-long loan. Negotiations continued through the week with McGeouch and a deal was finally concluded yesterday for the Scotland under-21 international who has agreed a three-year contract.

“I really enjoyed playing for the club and working with Alan Stubbs, so when the opportunity came up to come back to Hibs it was the right choice for me,” McGeouch told the Hibs website.

“At this stage in my career, I need to be playing games on a regular basis and I felt I really benefited from that experience last season.

“Now I’m looking to kick on and help the team to challenge for promotion.”

McGeouch, 22, played 26 times for Hibs last season, scoring three goals and helping the side finish second in the Championship. They missed out on promotion after losing to Rangers in the play-off semi-finals.

Stubbs, the Hibs head coach, expressed his satisfaction with the deal. “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to sign Dylan – his return will add real quality to the squad,” Stubbs said.

“He was one of our stand-out performers last season and he is a player that I’ve wanted to sign on a permanent basis from the very first day he joined on loan.

“So the fact that we’re now in a position to make that move a reality is fantastic news for everybody connected to the club.”

Hibs play Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow, seeking revenge for the 6-2 defeat they suffered in the Petrofac Training Cup last month.